The Bureau of Land Management recently announced its new standards for the oil and gas industries that can help better protect wildlife. With oil and gas production in the states increasing steadily over the past few years, foreign oil imports now account for less than half of the oil used in the nation.

The BLM says cooperation between industry leaders and the agency has contributed to significant decreases in the number of wildlife deaths associated with oil and gas operations in recent years.

In a media release from the BLM, acting director Mike Pool says cooperation across the board promotes responsible development of natural resources on public lands while safeguarding wildlife, livestock and public health.

The best management practices identified in the new policy take into consideration the state's unique wildlife needs and the potential hazards of industry operations involved in extraction. Using closed loop systems or nets for managing fluids, constructing wildlife escape ramps in open excavation areas, and installing screens on all open exhaust stacks could help keep wildlife low.

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